Trace-hitch.



PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.,

` J. s. & N. R. BRIEL.

TRACE BITCH.

APPLIOATION F'ILED JUNE 9, 1903 .'NO MODEL..

Tn: Nonms PEYERS co. wom-umn.,

and secure connection between the said whif' UNITED STATES Patented August 25,l 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S'. BRIEL AND NICOLA R. BRIEL, OF BROWNSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

HITCH.

SPECIFICATION'formng part of Letters Patent No. 737,068, dated August 25, 1903..

Application filed June 9, 1903.

Serial No. 160,6 8 8. (No model.)

NIcoL R. BRIEL, citizens ofthe United States,

residing at Brownsville, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trace-Hitches, of which improvement the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in trace-hitches, and relates more particularly to that class of hitches which are adapted to be pivotally connected to the end of the whiffletree and form a rapid fletree and the trace.

The object of this invention is to provide a hitch whichpwill be simple in construction and effective in operation and will insure a strong but flexible connection between the trace and the whiftletree of the Wagon.'

In describing the invention in detail refer.`

ence is had t0 the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several. views, in which- Figu're l is a side elevation of our improved device in its connected position. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view showing the trace in position to be secured to the Whiffietree. Fig. 3 is a similar view of its connected position.

--In the drawings the reference-numeral l indicates a portion of the end of the whiffletree over which the usual meta-l cap 2 is placed, and a screw 3,'on the outer end of which a ring 4 is formed, passes through an aperture in the conical gripping-piece 5, the forward end of which is split, thereby forming two or more flexible members, such as 6 and 7. The outer ends of these members have extensions 6 7', and a shoulder 8, formed on the inside of these pieces, is adapted, when said pieces are drawn together, to secure the enlarged head 9 ofthe trace connection l0 in position. The trace connection 10 is formed in two parts,.between which the trace l1 is placed, said trace being secured therein by rivets 12. A tapering collar 14 is adapted to slide over the outer side ofthe parts 5 G 7, as will be seen by reference to the drawings', and an annular shoulder 15, provided on the forward inner side thereof, will when the devvice isin its connected position, as shown in Fig. 3, engage the-notch 16, formed in the parts 6 7, this being to secure said sleeve against displacement by vibration.

In securing the parts in position the collar 14 is slid to the rear position, as shown in Fig. 2, the head 9 of the trace connection being` placed within the parts 6 7. The collar is then slid forward, and the head 9 is securely held within said parts. extend on either side of the trace connection, thereby preventing said trace from becoming twisted, as such connection can only turn a certain distance before striking these eXtensions.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of our invention.A Y

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and ters Patent, is-

l. In atrace-hitch, the combination of a taperin g bifurcated locking member, pivotally connected to the whiflietree, a tapering sleeve adapted to operate over said locking member, and a trace connection having an enlarged head adapted to be secured within said locking memberwhen the same is inits closed p0- sition, substantially as described.

2.,In a trace-hitch, the combination of a locking member the rear end of which is pivotally connected t0 the whiffletree, spring locking-fingers formed on the forward end of The extensions 6' 7l desire to secure by Letsaid member, an annular groove cut on the 8. In a trace-hitch,'the combination of a locking member pivotally connected'to the Whiffietree, spring-iingers formed on the forward end of said member, a tapering sleeve adapted to operate over the outer side'of said iingers, a projection in said sleeve adapted to fall into the cut-away portion in said fingers, an annular enlargement formed onthe inside of said fingers, atrfiee Connection the forward In testimony whereof we have hereunto 1o end of which is bifureated for the insertion of Signed ournames 1n the presence of two Sul the trace, an enlarged head on the rear end seribing witnesses.

of said connection @da ted to beheld b Said i j w projection on the fingerls) when the smnerre in b their oiosed position, and a projection on the 'A forward end of Ihe iingers to prevent twist- In presence ofing of the trace connection, substantially as F. O. HENZI,

M. C. WELSH.

described. l 

